And according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, (and other sources) there has been an “unprecedented rise in bias incidents targeting American Muslims in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, the San Bernardino killings and recent inflammatory anti-Muslim political rhetoric.”

Unfortunately, when we humans are feeling threatened and scared, we tend to look for someone to “other” and to blame. We make assumptions based on impressions and rumors. We neglect to ensure that the information we’re receiving is accurate. We tend to seek out views that confirm our own biases. We fail to dig more deeply and to consider the complexity of the issue in question.

With Islamophobia on the rise, it’s essential that we humane educators and changemakers inform ourselves and help educate others.